and
Christmas is her busy time, hence, she would have been unable to
accept your kind invitation. Next year, however, things may have
changed. If so, we shall certainly bring her with us."

There followed a succession of trips to nearby points of interest.
The snow, which lay thick during the holidays, began to melt soon
after the new year dawned, and, the roads drying hard, Gerald came
over one day in the auto and took them for a jaunt in the country.

A fishing excursion to the shores of the bay on another day, with Jim
and Ephraim as the pilots, served to demonstrate to the Judge that he
was every bit as good a fisherman as he had been in the early days,
for he caught eight speckled sea-trout, and three red-fish--a better
record than was made by any other member of the party.

Finally, the Judge and Molly took their departure, the former
declaring that the duties in New York had become imperative ones.
Dorothy hated to lose her chum again, they saw each other so seldom,
but agreed with Molly that the latter must spend some time in her own
home.

Then, as February passed, and the winds of March began to make
themselves felt, things settled down to their usual routine at
Bellvieu.

Dorothy, who had resumed her lessons immediately upon Molly's
departure, was fast approaching a point where, Herr Deichenberg
declared, she would be able to appear before an audience in the most
critical of musical centers. He advised that she immediately seek the
opportunity, or allow him to seek one for her.

Again Aunt Betty interposed a mild objection, and the music master,
with a sly wink at Dorothy, observed under his breath:

"Just leave it to me."

This Dorothy did, and with good results, as will be seen.

She dropped the subject entirely when Aunt Betty was around, resolved
to wait until the psychological moment arrived to again broach the
matter, or until she heard further from Herr Deichenberg.

Two weeks passed and finally Herr Deichenberg came out to the house
one morning with Mr. Ludlow, whom he presented to Aunt Betty.

At first the mistress of Bellvieu was inclined to receive the
theatrical man coldly, believing he had come to entice her niece
away, but gradually, under Herr Deichenberg's careful urging, she
began to see matters in a new light.

"Mr. Ludlow has no desire to take Miss Dorothy avay from you," said
the Herr, earnestly. "Please believe me vhen I tell you. Also believe
me vhen I say dat all of Mis